CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to transform their local watering hole in to a swanky new housing block are in for a nail-biting wait while Government inspectors make their minds up.

Developers who had hoped to transform the Royal Oak pub in Heyes Lane, Alderley Edge in to 24 modern apartments were left seething after planners turned them down and so lodged an appeal.

And last Wednesday St Modwen Developments went head-to-head with campaigners during an informal hearing at Macclesfield Town Hall to argue the case before a Government inspector.

The matter has now gone before the Environment Secretary John Prescott, who will take around six weeks to come to a conclusion.

Residents spokesman, Neil Stelling, criticised developers, but was hopeful after the hearing. He said: "Alderley Edge is a lovely village but it is being destroyed."

"Everywhere you look there's new apartments. I know there's a moratorium, but these developers are arguing they lodged their plans before it came in to being."

"It was a shame the hearing was moved to Macclesfield Town Hall from Alderley Edge's Festival Fall because it meant less local campaigners were able to attend."

"But there was enough public feeling with around 10 campaigners who managed to put a good case across."

"We've put up a good fight last year with a petition of over a 150 signatures and more than 200 people wrote direct to the council."

"It would be a shame to lose the pub as it's a family meeting place with beautiful enclosed gardens and only last week was packed with parents and children in the sun shine."

He said the developers had fought the case on the principle that their application was lodged before the planning moratorium curtain fell, which stopped most house building.

Residents fought back saying they were in danger of losing vital open space in the community if the quarter-acre site was lost.

A spokeswoman from Macclesfield Borough Council's north area planning department confirmed the application had been turned down by planners on February 5, 2003 and an appeal lodged by St Modwen Developments.

She said: "The application was for a change of use to the Royal Oak public house to form eight apartments and the erection of a new building containing 16 apartments together with new car parking and a new open space."

The Royal Oak landlord was not available for comment at the time of going to press.